Education provides children with opportunities to escape poverty.

The Need
Education provides children with opportunities to escape poverty, gain a voice in their community and experience a better quality of life. But worldwide, more than 120 million children are unable to attend school.

Many poor parents cannot pay school fees or buy supplies. Communities often lack suitable school buildings and qualified teachers. And families may need their children's help in the fields or family business just to survive. Without an education, a child has little hope of breaking free from poverty and reaching his or her full potential. Education provides children with opportunities to escape poverty.

One-third of all children do not complete five years of schooling—the minimum needed for basic literacy skills. Source: UNICEF State of the World's Children 2006

771 million people aged 15 and above live without basic literary skills. Source: UNESCO Global Monitoring Report 2006

Education reduces poverty: studies show that each year of schooling increases a person's earnings by a worldwide average of about 10 percent. Source: World Bank FAQ 2005

World Vision's Response
World Vision's goal is to ensure that all children receive access to basic education that will help them become fulfilled, productive members of their communities.

Increasing access to education

Financial assistance: World Vision assists parents in need with the cost of school fees and/or uniforms for their children.

Programs for disadvantaged children: World Vision programs are opening doors for children around the world who might otherwise be denied an education. In Armenia, for example, preschool programs for disabled children allow them to socialize in regular classrooms instead of being isolated at home or in an institution.

School supplies: World Vision helps ensure that poor children have basic supplies like pens, paper and pencils, without which they may be turned away from class.

Advocacy: World Vision advocates for girls' education to ensure they have the same opportunity as boys to attend school and develop their potential.

Improving classroom facilities

Building new schools: In communities lacking school facilities, new schools are constructed to help make education a reality for impoverished children.

Repairing existing schools: World Vision helps make improvements and additions to schools in places like Afghanistan, where dilapidated buildings have been transformed into safe learning environments benefiting thousands of students.

Providing adult education

Vocational training: World Vision provides adults with access to job-skills training that can help them earn a sustainable income for their families.

Literacy training: In communities around the world, World Vision literacy programs are helping adults learn to read, write and count—establishing a legacy of literacy
that can last for generations.

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